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BenletteryMountainBinn Leitrí A name in Irishalso Bendouglas an extra name in English(Ir. Binn Leitrí [TR], 'peak of the wet hillsides')GalwayCounty, in Arderin List, Pale quartzites, grits, graphitic top Bedrock

The townland of Lettery (Leitrí, 'wet hillsides') is on the S slopes of this mountain. The alternative name Bindowglass or Bendouglas (Binn Dúghlais, 'peak of the black stream') is recorded as early as 1684 by Roderic O'Flaherty. Note that both names refer to the wet state of the mountain. O'Flaherty mentions a pool of water on the summit which turns the hair white of anyone who washes in it. In the days before accurate measurements of altitude, he erroneously believed that Bindowglass was the highest of the Twelve Bens and was two miles high. This misconception was corrected by James Hardiman, who edited O'Flaherty's work in 1846, aware that the Ordnance Survey had found that Ben Corr and Ben Bawn exceed it in height by several hundred feet (O'Flaherty, 107).
Benlettery is the 345th highest place in Ireland. Benlettery is the most southerly summit in the Twelve Bens area. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/

Taking the N59 to Clifden, there is space for a couple of cars to park beside the road outside the Benlettery Hostel, at Grid 777 483A. Walk up to the hostel and take the stile on your left. Proceed in a NNW direction for about 1km, the grassy terrain mostly firm underfoot, but uneven at times, the incline becoming steeper as you ascend. When you reach point 773 493B, from here you can either turn NE and go directly up to the summit, but this is very steep in spots, or continue north for a few hundred metres and then turn NE at 773 497C, which will take you to the col to the north of the summit, and which has a narrow rocky track leading all the way to the top. Ascent will take 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the route you choose. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/5075/

Picture from Onzy

Clear view above the cloud

by Onzy 17 Mar 2014

Experienced an unusual cloud inversion on Ben Lettery. Picture shows the view north to Bengower, Benbreen and beyond. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/15929/

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Picture from shaneanddearbh

A good start to the twelve

by shaneanddearbh 1 Aug 2015

Beautiful mountain, took the long way around, parking the car at the hostel and walked a couple of kilometres around into the valley before climbing to the coll and then to the summit. It looks like there is space beside the main road a little past the hostel that would cut out some of the walk and just climb a more direct route up the valley. Its a little boggy in parts but overall it is fine and this was after a few weeks of rain! Upon entering the valley the sound of road drops off and it is really peaceful. I was expecting to meet more people on this one but it was relatively isolated. Once you reach the coll the climb to the summit is quiet easy. Best part of 2 hours on the ascent and an hour back down. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/18219/

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Picture from simon3

simon3 on Benlettery, 2004

by simon3 27 Jun 2004

Benlettery from Bengower. This picture hints at the fine view available south described by Joss Lynam [The Mountains of Connemara – 1988] as “.. the fantastic land and water jigsaw of South Connemara” Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/1004/

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Picture from csd

csd on Benlettery, 2003

by csd 16 Feb 2003

Climbed this on 15.02.2003. Parked at the car park grid ref 782 478D and walked to Benlettery hostel. Crossed the stile in the hostel's front garden and walked up to the left of the hostel. Aimed north-west-ish for the spur and gained the summit from the SW. Beautiful views from the top, and a nice continuation on to Bengower possible (see pic of bengower taken from summit of benlettery). Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/324/

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Picture from gerrym : Benlettery

Picture: Benlettery

gerrym on Benlettery, 2008

by gerrym 15 Jun 2008

Park on section of disused road next to Benlettery youth hostel (778483E). Walk up road to youth hostel and take a stile to the left onto the hillside. Pass through a stand of trees and cross a fence. There follows a steep climb of over 500m on generally good ground. There are great views down over Ballynahinch Lake (can pick out the elusive castle) and many other loughs before the sea. There is a well trodden track (eroded) as hit the higher reaches of the mountain, marked by some small cairns. The ground here is increasingly rocky and i have had difficulty on 2 occasions before the summit with steep ground requiring the use of hands - where is the easier path? The summit is mostly rocky with a few cairns. There are wide reaching views - west over Benglenisky and to the islands of the Atlantic, east to the other side of the famous Glencoaghan horseshoe and the Mamturks, north to the impressively rocky top of Bengower backed by Benbreen and of course south to the loughs and loughs and sea. A good starting point for one of the best walks in the country around Glencoaghan, or a visit to Bengower and Benglenisky. Can be busy but today no one else which made it all the better. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/315/comment/3180/